[HarryT]

"Final Curtain" is the 14th book in the Inspector Alleyn series, and was published in 1947.

Agatha Troy, Alleyn's artist wife, is commissioned to paint a portrait of Sir Henry Ancred, a bad tempered elderly actor who is the head of a large and (as in so many of Marsh's novels) eccentric family. When Sir Henry dies, apparently of food poisoning, suspicions of murder are aroused, and Alleyn, newly returned from 3 years in New Zealand during the war, becomes involved.

I wasn't terribly impressed by the two books before this in the series, both of which were set in New Zealand during WWII, but this book really returns to the high standard set by many of the earlier books in the series. It has interesting characters, and a very ingenious plot with a good few red herrings thrown in for good measure. It was good to see Alleyn's sidekick, Inspector Fox, in a story again; his down-to-earth manner is a nice contrast to Alleyn.

I recommend this book. Well worth reading.